Beverage Container

ABSTRACT

A beverage container for holding pressurized beverages, comprising a cylindrical metal construction, wherein the container side wall includes one or more indentations or indented shapes proximate the container bottom, wherein the indentations or shapes define the shape of a second pouring aperture when ruptured.

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to theearlier filed U.S. non-provisional utility application Ser. No.16/886,515 filed on May 28, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of beverage containers, specifically,the structure and manufacturing process of aluminum cans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional beverage cans utilize a single aperture at the top lid ofthe can for dispensing the liquid contained in the can, usually acarbonated beverage. For the beverage contained in the can to flowoutward, air must enter the container. Because the single opening cansneed to both allow for outward flow of liquid and inward flow of air,the outward flow of the beverage is often inconsistent or restricted.Also, for the release of carbonated beverage, the limitations of thesingle opening often results in the creation of foam. Many consumers ofsuch beverages seek a more rapid and smooth dispensation of the liquidfrom the can than the single aperture provides.

In the related art, numerous devices are disclosed which attempt toaddress this venting problem. Generally, these devices provide for twoopenings on the top of the can, one for pouring and one for venting.These devices include U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,184, issued in the name ofNoguchi et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,014, issued in the name of Aydt,U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,919, issued in the name of Recchia, U.S. Pat. No.5,011,037, issued in the name of Moen et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,597,issued in the name of Hanafusa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,306, issued in thename of Kelsey et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,212, issued in the name ofBrown, U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,914, issued in the name of Slade, and U.S.Pat. No. 3,627,168, issued in the name of Fraze. Other attempts toaddress this issue have included wider openings on the top of the can oropenings designed with a channel allowing for increased air flow.

Despite these many attempts to improve beverage flow from cans,consumers still often times attempt to puncture the wall of the can withkeys, screwdriver, knives, or other sharp objects to create a secondopening in the can, thereby creating a second aperture to increase theair flow through the can and allowing the beverage to flow from the canmore rapidly and with a consistent flow. However, consumers often failin their attempt to create a second aperture in the wall of existingbeverage containers. Common mishaps include injury from the sharp objectslipping, creation of an aperture that is too small, or rupturing of thebeverage container in an uncontrolled way resulting to the beverageexploding out of the container. This consumer behavior demonstrates acontinued need in the art to improve beverage flow from containers byallowing consumers to create a second aperture in the wall of thebeverage container in a controlled and safe way.

Others in the art have disclosed beverage containers that include asecond scored aperture on the wall or bottom of the container. Thesedevices include U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,060 issued in the name of Rightenourand Publication No. 2015/0183547 in the applicant name of Langheinrich.These devices, however, fail to account for the diminished structuralintegrity to the beverage can resulting from scoring the container wall,which is typically composed of an aluminum sheet thinner than thecontainer lid. Further, these devices fail to consider the increasedcost and difficulty to the manufacturing process for including a secondscored aperture on the beverage container wall, including how to alignthe first and second apertures during the manufacturing process tooptimize consumer convenience.

Accordingly, a beverage container that facilitates a more controlled,efficient, puncturing of the beverage container side wall withoutcompromising the structural integrity of the container or materiallyincreasing cost or complexity of the manufacturing process is desired.This is especially advantageous for the beverages that are carbonated ormalt beverages, such as beer. Consequently, a need has been felt forproviding an improved, beverage container that is novel in design,combining existing art with new, allowing for users to puncture a secondaperture for venting with a novel, new beverage container wall design,thereby creating a new and unique combination of technology.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved beverage container that is novel in design, and whichfacilitates the quick, efficient and controlled rupturing of the sidewall of the beverage container to allow a consumer to create a secondaperture in the container wall for the rapid and smooth dispensing ofcarbonated and malt beverages in a novel, fun and festive manner.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the beveragecontainer consists of an aluminum can of traditional cylindrical shape,with a traditional pouring aperture assembly on the top of thecontainer, such as a scored section and a tab. Located along the sidewall of the container are one or more indentations or dimples of adefined size and shape. The indentations or dimples allow the user torupture the side wall of the container with a pointed object, such askeys with decreased risk of the pointed object sliding off the side ofthe wall or creating an undesirable or uncontrolled opening. In certainpreferred embodiments, the indentations or dimples are spacedperiodically in a row around the circumference of the can at a heightslightly above the bottom of the can. The size and shape of theindentations or dimples may vary. For example, certain embodiments mayinclude rounded or elliptical indentations or dimples. Other embodimentsmay include triangular or rectangular indentations or dimples. Otherembodiments may include a variety of shapes and sizes.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the beveragecontainer consists of an aluminum can of traditional cylindrical shape,with a traditional pouring aperture assembly on the top of thecontainer, such as a scored section and a tab. Located along the sidewall of the container are one or more embossed or stamped shapes, forexample an asterisk, star or “x” shape. The embossed or stamped symbolsallow the user to rupture the side wall of the container with a pointedobject, such as keys with decreased risk of the pointed object slidingoff the side of the wall or creating an undesirable or uncontrolledopening. In certain preferred embodiments, the embossed or stampedshapes are spaced periodically in a row around the circumference of thecan at a height slightly above the bottom of the can. The size and shapeof the embossed or stamped shapes may vary.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the beveragecontainer consists of an aluminum can of traditional cylindrical shape,with a traditional pouring aperture assembly on the top of thecontainer, such as a scored section and a tab. A portion of the sidewall of the container defines an indented ring or trench around thecircumference of the can. The indented ring or trench allows the user torupture the side wall of the container with a pointed object, such askeys with decreased risk of the pointed object sliding off the side ofthe wall or creating an undesirable or uncontrolled opening.

Alone or in combination with other embodiments disclosed herein, otherembodiments of the present invention may include latitudinal orlongitudinal ribbing along the side wall of the beverage container toimprove the structural properties beverage container to allow for usersto puncture a hole in the side wall. The ribbing may traverse the entirecircumference or length of the container, or the ribbing may be shorter.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a processfor manufacturing embodiments of the beverage containers disclosedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a beverage container consistent with theinvention disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a beverage container consistent with theinvention disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a beverage container consistent with theinvention disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the manufacturing process for a beveragecontainer consistent with the invention disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the manufacturing process for a beveragecontainer consistent with the invention disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a dimpled-wall beverage container 10 is shown,according to the present invention, comprising a container 20 oftraditional cylindrical configuration, constructed of aluminum or othermetal, and used to hold beverages, particularly carbonated beverage. Thecontainer 20 consists of a container rim 30, container body 40, acontainer top or lid 50 and container bottom 60, as found in traditionalbeverage containers of this sort. The body 40 of the can is commonlynarrowed to form a neck 45 to accommodate a lid 50 having a smallerradius than the body 40 to reduce the amount of metal used in formingthe container. The container bottom 60 commonly assumes a dome shape inorder to resist internal pressure. The container top or lid 50 iscommonly secured to the container body 40 through the flanged rim 30formed by bending and seeming the lid 50 after filling of the body 40with the beverage. Located along the container top or lid 50 is atraditional beverage pouring assembly, including a pouring scoredportion 70 with a tab 80 attached to the container top 50 near thescored portion 70 such that the tab 80 acts as a fulcrum to open thepouring scored portion 70 to create a pouring aperture. The tab iscommonly secured to the top 50 through a rivet 85.

In one embodiment of the present invention, located on the containerbody 40 are one or more inward indentations 90 in a single row. Theinward indentations 90 provide a target for which a user may use toapply force to the container body 40, for example with keys or ascrewdriver, to allow the rupturing of the container body 40 to form asecond pouring aperture within the indentation 90 structure while thecontainer 10 is sealed and pressurized. The structure of theindentations 90 facilitates the application of focused force to thecontainer body 40 to form a controlled and defined second aperture.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , the indentations 90 are locatednear the container bottom 60 and are of a size sufficiently large toform a second aperture when punctured. In other embodiments, theindentations 90 may be located further from or closer to the containerbottom 60. The indentations 90 in FIG. 1 are depicted as roundindentations, but is understood that in other embodiments theindentations may be of other shapes, including for example triangular,rectangular, or elliptical shapes. It is also understood that in otherembodiments the shapes of the indentations 90 may vary and need not beof a uniform shape throughout the container body 40.

Certain embodiments may include a single indentation 90, whereas otherembodiments may include multiple indentations 90 spaced around thecircumference of the container body 40. One advantage of multipleindentations spaced around the circumference of the body 40 is to moreeasily ensure that at least one indentation 90 is substantially alignedwith the scored portion 70 on the container top 50. The embodiment inFIG. 1 further includes longitudinal ribs 95 to provide additionalstructural reinforcement for the container body 40 both duringmanufacturing and when being punctured by a consumer. The ribs may alsobe provided latitudinally and may be of any length.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a beverage container 210 is shown havingradial shapes 290 in the container body 240, according to the presentinvention. The container 220 comprises the common elements of beveragecontainers discussed in connection with FIG. 1 , including a containerrim 230, container body 240, container bottom 260, a neck 245, acontainer top or lid 250 having a pouring scored portion 270 with a tab280 secured to the top 250 through a rivet 285.

The container body 240 includes radial shapes 290 that are eitherscored, embossed or stamped into the container body 240. The radialshapes 290 provide a target for which a user may use to apply force tothe container body 240, for example with keys or a screwdriver, to allowthe rupturing of the container body 240 to form a second pouringaperture when one of the radial shape 290 collapses internally into thecontainer body 240. The structure of the radial shapes 290 facilitatesthe application of focused force to the container body 240 to form acontrolled and defined second aperture.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 , the radial shapes 290 are locatednear the container bottom 260 and are of a size sufficiently large toform a second aperture when punctured. In other embodiments, the radialshapes 290 may be located further from or closer to the container bottom260. The radial shapes 290 in FIG. 2 are depicted as star or asteriskshapes, but is understood that in other embodiments the radial shapes290 may be of other shapes, forms or combined with other types ofindentations. It is also understood that in other embodiments the formof the radial shapes 290 may vary and need not be of a uniform shapethroughout the container body 240.

Certain embodiments may include a single radial shape 290, whereas otherembodiments may include multiple radial shapes 290 spaced around thecircumference of the container body 240. The embodiment in FIG. 2further includes a latitudinal rib 295 to provide additional structuralreinforcement for the container body 240 both during manufacturing andwhen being punctured by a consumer. The ribs may also be providedlongitudinally and may be of any length.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a beverage container 310 is shown having andindented ring 390 in the container body 340, according to the presentinvention. The container 320 comprises the common elements of beveragecontainers discussed in connection with FIG. 1 , including a rim 330,container body 340, container bottom 360, a neck 345, a container top orlid 350 having a pouring scored portion 370 with a tab 380 secured tothe top 350 through a rivet 385.

The container body 340 includes indented ring 290 or trench around thecircumference of the container body 240. The indented ring 290 mayinclude vertical ribs 295 defining a series of ridges within theindented ring 290. The indented ring 290 with the vertical ribs 295provides multiple targets for which a user may use to apply force to thecontainer body 340, for example with keys or a screwdriver, to allow therupturing of the container body 340 to form a second pouring aperturewhen one of the gaps between the vertical ribs 395 collapses internallyinto the container body 340. The structure of the indented ring 390 withthe vertical ribs 395 facilitates the application of focused force tothe container body 340 to form a controlled and defined second aperture.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 , the indented ring 390 is locatednear the container bottom 360 and is of a width sufficiently large toform a second aperture when punctured. In other embodiments, theindented ring 390 may be located further from or closer to the containerbottom 360. The vertical ribs 390 in FIG. 3 are depicted as forming aseries of squares within the indented ring 390, but is understood thatin other embodiments the ribs 390 may form other shapes and be angled.It is also understood that in other embodiments the form of the indentedring 390 may vary and need not be of a uniform shape throughout thecontainer body 340.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a common technique for manufacturing aluminum cansinvolves a process known as two-piece drawing and wall ironing. Aluminumsheets are made in rolling mills. Circular blanks 410 are cut from thealuminum sheet of approximately 5.5 inches in diameter. Next, a punch420 strokes the blanks 410 into a mold 425 to form the cup shape for thecontainer 430.

In certain embodiments, the punch 420 and mold 425 may be configured toform indentations 90 such as those disclosed in FIG. 1 by including theshapes of the desired indentations 90 at the end of the punch 420 andcorresponding shapes in the mold. For example, the end of the punch 420may include the female portion of one or more circular indentations tobe formed in the cup shape 430, while the mold 425 includescorresponding male portions for those indentations. When the punch 420strokes the blanks 410 into the mold 425, the desired indentations nearthe bottom of the cup shape 430 will be formed.

Then, a sequence of ironing operations thins and stretches the containerwalls so that the container body reaches a height of about five inches.A sleeve 440 holds the cup 460 in place as iron rings 450 stretch andthin the cup 460 wall. The bottom of the can body is then pressedagainst a metal dome, giving the bottom of the can its inward bulge.Machinery then trims a slice from the top of the body to ensure a flattop. The top portion of the body is “necked down” and flanged toaccommodate the lid. As shown in FIG. 1 , an integral rivet 85 is formedto connect the tab 80 to the lid 50. The lid is scored 70 so that thecan opens easily.

In certain embodiments, the indentations 90, 390 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3or shapes 290 shown in FIG. 2 may be formed during the ironing processthrough embossing. The sleeve 440 surface may include patterns forforming the desired indentations 90, 390 or shapes 290. When the ironrings 450 iron the cup 460 against the sleeve 440, the desiredindentations 90, 390 or shapes 290 will be formed according to thepatterns on the sleeve 440. In this way, the desired indentations 90,390 or shapes 290 are then formed through an embossing or pressingprocess.

In other embodiments, an additional ironing step or steps may be addedwith a specialized ironing ring 450, where the ironing ring 450 alsoincludes patterns that correspond to the patterns on the sleeve 440. Theiron rings the traverse only the lower portion of the cup 460 to createthe desired indentations 90, 390 or shapes 290 in the desired locations,for example near the bottom of the cup 460.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in another embodiment for creating the structurefor a beverage container consistent with the present invention, thecontainer body 510 is held by a sleeve 540 in place as one or morepunches 520 having the desired shape at the end 530 strike the containerbody 510 with a force sufficiently strong to form indentations or othershapes in the container body 710 without rupturing the container wall.The sleeve includes a female portion 550 corresponding to the shape orform to be stamped into the container body 510. The female portion 550of the sleeve 540 is aligned with each punch 520 so that the punch end530 strikes the corresponding female portion 550 of the sleeve 540. Thepunches around the circumference of the container body 510 may occur insequence or simultaneously. The punching process may occur after theironing process is completed, or may be integrated into the ironingprocess.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealed and pressurized beverage container forholding beverages, comprising: a cylindrical metal construction formingthe body of said container; a container neck coupled to said body ofsaid container, said neck having a radius smaller than said body; acontainer lid coupled to said neck, said lid comprising a pouringaperture assembly that opens a pouring aperture from which said beveragecan be poured; a container bottom opposite said container lid andcoupled to said body; wherein said container body has a substantiallysmooth exterior with the exception of a single row of indentationsproximate said container bottom spaced around the circumference of saidcontainer body, said indentations each maintaining fixed indentationsprotruding inward when said beverage container is sealed andpressurized; wherein said indentations are of a size sufficient to forma second pouring aperture when punctured; said body further havinglongitudinal ribbing, said longitudinal ribbing extending from said neckto said bottom and interposed between said indentations.
 2. A sealed andpressurized beverage container for holding beverages, comprising: acylindrical metal construction forming the body of said container; acontainer neck coupled to said body of said container, said neck havinga radius smaller than said body; a container lid coupled to said neck,said lid comprising a pouring aperture assembly that opens a pouringaperture from which said beverage can be poured; a container bottomopposite said container lid and coupled to said body; wherein saidcontainer body has a substantially smooth exterior with the exception ofa single row of indentations proximate said container bottom spacedaround the circumference of said container body, said indentations eachmaintaining fixed indentations protruding inward when said beveragecontainer is sealed and pressurized; wherein said indentations are of asize sufficient to form a second pouring aperture when punctured; saidindentations including two or more scored lines extending radially fromthe center of each said indentation.